From my experience it was partly psychological and partly physical. 30 days is a huge milesone (congrats on making it past that mark btw). I found my willpower waned a bit after 30 days because it was a huge fight to get there and I made it. Nicotine is supposedly out of the system by then but I think that the last physical craves come at this point, kind of a way your body rebels against the quick by telling you it wants that fix, knowing if it doesn't get it, it likely never will again.

Keep going, it gets a little easier every day to a point where it's normal not to smoke or constantly think about smoking.

I've noticed that a lot of people here are struggling with the 36 (give or take) day quit including myself. I don't understand why but it helps to know this is not unusual. I have to remember why and how I was feeling when I decided to quit in the first place.

Jules you've gotten me thinking about something. I had what I called a pre occuaption with cigarettes all day Sunday. One of my triggers is driving and I had an hour and a half ride Sunday morning. So of course my mind turned to smoking, I even tried to rationalize with myself that I could buy a pack and just have a couple of puffs and be done with it. Of course the reality is if I'd bought them I'd have smoked them. Good News, I resisted and did not buy any cigarettes but as I read your post it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn't pre occupied, I was having a craving. I know this is long winded and I apologize but my point is, I deluded myself into thinking I wasn't craving a cigarette and it worked, so maybe if think of the cravings as something else then it won't be so bad for you either. I certainly hope I can continue to delude myself now that I've identifed what I'm doing! :)

it seems strange but it is what it is - quitting is a very long process and it is not easy. those nasty cravings come from nowhere at a moment you would never suspect and this is the nature of addiction. hard as it is we have to our best not to give in.

be patient and be good to your self. get distracted in any possible way, that helps a lot.

Jules80 : Thank you for the courage you've shown in sharing your cravings . Mt worst 2 wks. were wks.6 & 7 , with increased anxiety , depression & irritability , after which I went to my family Dr. who put me on Wellbutrin ( aka. Zyban ) It has really improved a lot since . I,m not suggesting that you necessarily do this , but only to give witness to the fact that you are not alone . It,s great that you turned to an NRT. Do something - do anything . You are doing it . You are removing yourself from the problem by staying solution oriented .Again , thanks for your posting . Kermit. ( it's not always easy being green ).

They do sneak up on you when you least expect them...that's the insidiousness of the Nicodemon! He loves making life miserable and tries to wittle away at self confidence...just give the horrid little creature a head toss and take a big breath...and remember, anything worth fighting for will not come easily!
Having to reach for support is not a step backward...it's choosing to accept support something we all need from time to time. The support just changes as we put the months and years behind us. You are doing really well and congratulations. Just keep looking into your children's eyes...they need you to be around for a long, long time!

You've done such a wonderful job making it through the last 36 days -you can get through this challenge. Perhaps it would help to try out some new strategies? There is an excellent list put together by our members titled 'killer cravings list'. I'll bump that post for you.

Keep us posted and feel free to come by anytime and let us know how you are doing...

hang in there Jules80, I remember being hit with a few good cravings after my first month and I think it is the nicodemons testing your determination, don't let them win you are much stronger then they are..keep busy, stay positive, here to help vent away!!!

The last few days have been hell for me. I don't know where these cravings are coming from but they are ones i would of expected the first week not after 5 weeks. I had to break down and use nicorette gum to get past them. Not fun at all!

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